ANOTHER GAME COUNT

We decided to do another game count and this time we were situated at the southern end of the park at Wexcau in the ‘Wild Area’ of Hwange where tourists are not allowed in their own private vehicles and covered an area of 6827 sq. km’s. They can only go there with a professional safari operator, so nice and peaceful. We borrowed a friend’s 4x4 bakkie and headed off soon after breakfast to be there in time to set up and be ready to count by 12 noon. We had ‘Aussie’ Cathy with us again.
When we arrived we decided that we would set up on the north side of the pan, even though the only big tree was a lovely Leadwood tree on the south side, it had far too much evidence of elephant rubbings on it and all the elephant paths ran off in that direction!!
We were all set and ready at 12noon in anticipation of some animals coming down to drink. Well we had a very long afternoon with absolutely nothing, so had to contend with counting birds and bugs- exciting for some of us, but not everyone in the party. We also caught up on a lot of whispered chats, reading and sipping tea to while away the hours. Sun downers came and went, and dinner and still no animals. Half the party decided they would go to sleep, so Cathy and I offered to do the first shift. We settle down next to vehicle on a tarpaulin and gazed up at the stars and chatted.

Around about 8pm when all was quiet and a few snores where heard from the bakkie an elephant bull came sauntering out of the bush opposite us for a drink. He also seemed to be enjoying the peace and quiet, as he was in no rush. It was lovely to just sit and enjoy listening to him sucking water up and the excess dropping back into the pan like a dripping tap.
When finally he decided to meander off he started heading off to the right of the pan and us. Cathy was now convinced that he was heading our way. I repeatedly kept telling her not to worry he was far away and not coming in our direction. But she was not convinced. Finally he headed into the bush and we lost sight of in the shadows cast by the moonlight.
About ten minutes later lo and behold he started coming out of the bush behind us, well you can imagine the fright we got. We both rolled under the vehicle (thankfully had high clearance) and waited for him to satisfy his curiosity as to what we were. Cathy was full of glee that she was right, but I am still convinced that she telepathically lured him our way!!

Thankfully after that the rest of the party had woken up with our commotion, so we swopped shifts and we put our heads down for a good sleep before facing a new day.
The next six hours of daylight counting did not produce much either, except for a couple of zebra!! But it was just good to be out in the bush away from phones and noise. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys the wildlife and nature.